Chelsea currently lie in second and head to Old Trafford looking to extend the four-point gap between themselves and third-placed United.

Despite drawing three of their last four league games, the England defender believes his side are good enough to win at Old Trafford, where they have not beaten the Red Devils since 2005.

"We are not winning games at the minute so going to Manchester is not going to be easy," Cole, 28, told the BBC's Football Focus.

"Its going to be a tough game but if we win it that will give us a lot of confidence to push on and win the league.

"It's always a hard battle there but we have great players. If we play as well as we can then we will come out on top.

"You can never write off Manchester United (in the title race). They have the players and the manager. If you are ahead of them then you win the league."

Chelsea missed out to United by two points in last year's championship and also lost to United on penalties in a heart-breaking Champions League final last May.

Cole, who has played 21 times for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side this term, believes the agony of coming so close to glory last year has proven to be a catalyst for their efforts this season.

"We went so close last year in the Champions League final and the Premier League," he said.

"It was very disappointing for us and it has spurred us on this season.

"We are having a little dip at the moment but we are still second in the league and happy with our position. I think we will change it round in the near future."

Media reports this morning suggest Scolari is becoming tired of an alleged lack of discipline within the Chelsea ranks, but Cole insists any rumours of dressing-room unrest are untrue.

"I don't know where half of it comes from," the former Arsenal player said.

"We don't see anything that's not good here. Everyone is happy here and fighting for their place and enjoying it.

"Sometimes you can't believe what is being said. We just have to block out what they are saying and get on with our job of going out there and winning games."